Wind Energy Harvesting Tower with Tree-Like Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind energy harvesting systems are large, bulky, and often disrupt the natural view, especially when used in urban areas. They are also inefficient in locations where wind blows from multiple directions, as they are typically oriented to harvest wind from a specific direction.
Innovation Solution
A wind energy harvesting system that includes an elongate tower with a wind-harvesting assembly attached to it. The wind-harvesting assembly has a natural appearance, such as resembling a tree-top, and is designed to engage wind from any direction, causing the tower to move and generate electricity through a hydraulic subsystem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional wind turbines are used to harvest wind energy, then electricity generation is achieved, but the systems are large and bulky, disrupting the natural view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating a wind-harvesting system that replicates the visual appearance of natural trees. The tower is designed to resemble a tree trunk, and the wind-capturing elements at the top mimic tree foliage or canopy structures. This allows the system to generate electricity while blending into natural landscapes and urban environments, eliminating the visual disruption caused by traditional wind turbines.
2Productivity
If wind turbines are oriented to harvest wind from a specific direction, then efficiency is improved for locations with unidirectional wind, but wind energy is wasted when wind blows from multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing a tower that can move and reorient itself in response to wind direction changes. The tower is not fixed in a single orientation but can dynamically adjust its position to face the prevailing wind from any direction. This dynamic adaptability ensures continuous efficient wind energy harvesting regardless of wind direction, solving the limitation of fixed-orientation turbines.
3Power
If wind energy is harvested in locations distant from energy usage locations, then wind energy can be captured, but energy and funds are required to transport the harvested energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by integrating the electricity generation and storage systems directly at the wind energy capture location. The hydraulic actuators convert wind energy to mechanical motion, which drives generators to produce electricity on-site. Energy storage systems are also located at the same site, allowing the system to serve local energy needs without requiring long-distance energy transmission, thereby eliminating transport losses and costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively harvests wind energy without disrupting the natural view, and it can operate efficiently in various wind directions, maximizing energy generation while maintaining a visually appealing design.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one wind-engaging element adapted to be impacted by wind, and to cause the tower to move from the rest position
Implementation Method 2
motion of the tower from the rest position causes motion of at least one the piston and pressurizing of fluid in at least one corresponding the hydraulic actuator
Implementation Method 3
an electricity-generating subsystem, functionally associated with the hydraulic subsystem and adapted to use the pressurized fluid to generate electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A system of generating electricity from wind energy. The system includes fan elongate tower, having a ground end and an upper end, the tower having a rest position in which it is substantially perpendicular to a ground surface. The system further includes a wind-harvesting assembly including at least one wind-engaging element attached to the tower, the at least one wind-engaging element adapted to be pushed by the force of wind impact, and to cause the tower to move from the rest position. The system further includes an electricity-generating subsystem, functionally associated with the ground end of the tower and including a plurality of electricity-generating elements, wherein motion of the tower from the rest position causes at least a subset of the electricity-generating elements to initiate generation of electricity.